Counting Pennies

If you’re struggling to pay for groceries, the idea of spending money on entertainment may seem a little crazy, but the truth is that finding fun things to do is important to keep you sane. Here are some things (all free or really cheap!) I’ve done myself, along with a couple of suggestions from experts:

• Take a dance lesson! Lessons range from free to $6 or $10 per couple per lesson, and sometimes that includes refreshments! You don’t need special outfits and is a great alternative if you don’t like crowded nightclubs or the bar scene.

• Judging by the couples lingering up and down the aisles on Saturday night, IKEA is a hot Saturday night event for a lot of people. IKEA is arranged so you are supposed to follow the path from start to finish through the whole store. This is not a grab-it-and-go store. Take a cart and mosey down the path. Half-way through, get some Swedish meatballs at the cafeteria – probably the best food around for close to $5 per person. (Thanks to Sally Herigstad, author of Help! I Can’t Pay My Bills for this great tip. I love IKEA and agree it can be a great frugal outing. Even if you end up buying something, things in IKEA are so much cheaper than anywhere else that you’re unlikely to break the bank).

• Look in local newspapers for free cultural events. My local library offers a huge variety of interesting things, from Indonesian shadow puppet shows to a free class on pottery to a monthly fashion show. You may be able to find more activities in community colleges, art centers and adult learning annexes.

• Take advantage of your parks. Not matter where you live, there’s probably a state park nearby. Whether that means Central Park or Yellowstone, free activities are always just a step away in there. Hike, have a picnic, go biking or join a birdwatching group. In winter, many parks offer a chance for snowshoeing or sliding.

• “I just got back from seeing George Carlin in concert tonight. Like most of the major shows I attend, my wife and I went as ushers. We’ve seen shows for free that cost up to $70 if you buy a ticket: Indigo Girls, Bill Cosby, Melissa Etheridge, Crosby Stills & Nash, Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Gordon Lightfoot, Chuck Berry, many others. We have to show up an hour and a half early and show people to their seats, perform some minor troubleshooting, sometimes stuff inserts into programs.” (Shel Horowitz, author of seven books on frugal living)

• Stay in. Forget the movie theater and instead make it a Blockbuster (or a Netflix) night. Get some cheap popcorn and a couple of movies and relax on the living room rug. Bring lots of pillows for extra coziness!

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